THE 50th anniversary of the opening of the Millicent Swimming Lake will be celebrated by Wattle Range Council next month with a family fun day on January 27.
The event will include water-based activities, as well as a range of stalls and interactive events around the lake.
Council also plans to have water-based activities running in the week leading up to the family fun day.
The event will be exactly 50 years to the day since then State Premier Steele Hall officially opened the lake.
It was built by the then District Council of Millicent with strong corporate support, community fundraising, donations and voluntary labour.
Council staff believe the celebration will be a suitable occasion to seek community views on future directions for the Millicent Swimming Lake.
Engineering services director Peter Halton tabled a report on the Rendelsham Road facility when council held its December monthly meeting in Millicent on Tuesday.
Mr Halton signalled the council could earmark $1m in improvements over the next decade.
“Due to the age of the facility and the building regulations at the time it was built, the current standards for fencing of swimming pools and lifeguard supervision do not apply at the Millicent Swimming Lake,” Mr Halton said.
“It is likely any significant upgrade at the lake would require Wattle Range Council to meet current standards for fencing and supervision of a public pool.
“Hours of operation would need to be introduced and lifeguards in attendance during public opening hours.”
There were several minutes of discussion involving numerous councillors and senior staff members.
The meeting then agreed the council should develop a proposal which would be a long-term plan for the lake and one which would not affect the nature of its current use.
Councillor John Drew said council should support the lake as it was well used by families.
“The lake is a highlight for our community and is also used by people from Penola and Mount Gambier,” Cr Drew said.
Cr Moira Neagle said she regarded the lake as an institution.
“It has had 50 good years and now it is time for an upgrade,” Cr Neagle said.
Cr Graham Slarks asked Mr Halton if there was a tipping point when it would be financially right to replace the lake.
In reply, Mr Halton said the Millicent swimming lake was a point of difference for the community and a replacement outdoor pool would be very expensive and could cost up to $3m.
Cr Dale Price asked about the financial impact of a change in status from a lake to a pool.
Mr Halton said two lifeguards would be needed and fencing “would not be cheap”.
Council chief executive Ben Gower said the lake had been built under legislation which applied in the 1960s.
Mr Gower said an exemption had since applied to Millicent, but this would be lost if significant modifications were made to its operation.
